Double Chocolate Toasted Walnut + Sesame Cookies
I’m SO excited to share the very first recipe with you from my new cookbook, The Nourished Mother (now open for pre-orders!).
Pre-order on Amazon.com. Pre-order on Amazon.ca. Pre-order at Plumleaf Press. Pre-order on Indigo.
I wrote this cookbook to help you nourish yourself (and your family!) in the demanding years of postpartum and early motherhood where you need both true nourishment and recipes that make it practical.
Whether you need a nourishing one-handed snack to grab while holding baby or breastfeeding, or a home baked snack full of the minerals, proteins, and fats that help you feel energized and your kids will want, you are going to LOVE these Double Chocolate Toasted Walnut + Sesame Cookies.
When I developed this recipe, I wanted to do something like a Breakfast Cookie - lots of oats, seeds, and nourishing ingredients.
But then I thought - when you’re postpartum, you don’t need a Breakfast Cookie.. you need an ALL DAY cookie!
Packed with wholesome ingredients and brownie flavour, you can’t go wrong with a batch (or 2 or 3) of these Double Chocolate Toasted Walnut + Sesame Cookies (Dairy-Free + Gluten-Free)!
Why Double Chocolate Toasted Walnut + Sesame Cookies Are More Than Just a Treat
These cookies are more than just a sweet treat — naturally sweetened with maple syrup and applesauce, they’re packed with ingredients that support postpartum life. The oats and hemp hearts provide fiber and steady energy, helping to stabilize blood sugar during long days with a newborn. Almond butter and walnuts give nourishing fats and protein to support hormone balance and muscle repair, while cacao adds a little mood-boosting magnesium. Plus, they’re easy to grab and eat with one hand — perfect for when you’re nap-trapped or need something on the go.
These Double Chocolate Toasted Walnut + Sesame Cookies are also gluten-free, dairy-free, and very freezer-friendly - perfect if you want to stock your freezer or make a double batch.
How to Make Double Chocolate Toasted Walnut + Sesame Cookies (Step-by-Step)
Preheat the oven and prep pans.
Set your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and helps the cookies bake evenly.Toast the walnuts (optional).
Heat a small skillet over medium heat and toast the walnuts for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until they become fragrant and lightly browned.Mix the dry ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, oat flour, almond flour, hemp hearts, sesame seeds, cinnamon, sea salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder. Make sure there are no clumps of cocoa — this helps it distribute evenly.Whisk the wet ingredients.
In another bowl, whisk together the applesauce, almond butter, maple syrup (or honey), eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. The applesauce adds natural sweetness and moisture, while the almond butter provides richness and healthy fats.Combine wet and dry.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Tip: don’t overmix — it can make the cookies tough. Stop stirring when you no longer see streaks of flour.Fold in mix-ins.
Gently stir in the chocolate chips and toasted walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.Scoop the cookies.
Use a cookie scoop, ice cream scoop, or large spoon to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave some space between cookies, as they’ll spread slightly.Top for extra crunch.
Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips and sesame seeds on top of each cookie before baking. This makes them look bakery-style and adds a little texture.Bake.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Tip: the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake.Cool and enjoy.
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy warm, or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
Double Chocolate Toasted Walnut + Sesame Cookies FAQ
1. Can I make these cookies dairy-free or vegan?
Yes! They’re already dairy-free if you use dairy-free chocolate chips. To make them vegan, simply swap the eggs for two flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water, let sit 5 minutes).
2. Do I have to toast the walnuts?
Nope — the recipe works either way. Toasting just deepens the flavor and makes them crunchier. If you don’t have the energy, skip it!
3. Can I substitute the flours?
Yes. You can replace oat flour with more rolled oats (pulse them in a blender to make flour consistency), or swap out the oat flour for an all purpose of whole wheat flour if desired and you don’t need them to be gluten-free.
4. How do I freeze these cookies?
Let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag or container with parchment between layers.
Double Chocolate Toasted Walnut + Sesame Cookies Recipe from The Nourished Mother Cookbook
15 minutes Prepping
15 minutes Baking
Makes 14-16 Extra-Large Cookies
Dry Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup oat flour
½ cup almond flour
¼ cup hemp hearts
2 tbsp sesame seeds
½ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp sea salt
½ tsp baking soda
¼ cup cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients
½ cup applesauce
½ cup almond butter
½ cup maple syrup or honey
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-In
⅓ cup chocolate chips (dairy-free if needed)
⅓ cup chopped walnuts
Sprinkle on Top (Optional)
More chocolate chips
Extra sesame seeds
How to Make It
Preheat oven to 350°F, and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Toast the walnuts for 5 to 7 minutes in a pan until they are fragrant and toasted (skip this step if you don’t have the energy!).
Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients until just mixed. Stir in chocolate chips and toasted walnuts.
Portion cookies onto prepared pans using a cookie (or ice cream!) scoop.
Sprinkle each cookie with extra chocolate chips and sesame seeds (if using).
Bake 12 to 15 minutes until cookies are set around the edges but still soft. Let cookies cool, and enjoy!
More Nourishing Recipes For Postpartum + Family Life
If you love having nutrient-dense, one-handed snacks on hand (or want that for your postpartum!), you’ll find even more wholesome, family-friendly recipes inside The Nourished Mother. From freezer-ready meals to prepped proteins and breastfeeding staples, it’s your guide to eating well during postpartum and beyond. Pre-order your copy today and fill your kitchen with nourishment and ease.